Spacer Fabrics
Dr. Zuhaib Ahmad
Department of Materials and Testing
National textile University, Faisalabad
Learning Outcomes
At the end of this Module, you will be able to understand:
• What are the Spacer fabrics?
• Techniques and types of Spacer Fabrics
• Uses and Applications of Spacer Fabrics
Spacer Fabrics
• Spacer fabrics are a class of three-dimensional fabrics where two
surface layers are connected to each other by means of pile yarns or
fabric layers.
• Spacer fabrics (3D fabrics) are produced through knitting and weaving
technologies; among these technologies knitting is the most common
manufacturing process for the production of spacer fabrics.
3D spacer fabrics
• Warp knitted, weft knitted and woven spacer fabrics
• Substitute of thick foam laminate fabrics like neoprene foams, polyuerthene foams. The
foams are usually flammable, and are uncomfortable due to the lack of breathability.
• Foams tends to degrade and deform with time. Can not with stand home laundering.
• Spacer fabrics are breathable, more comfortable and washable.
• Very good impact resistance. Excellent wicking property (rapid dissipation of sweat)
• Good sound absorbing properties. Very good in compression and recovery.
• Seat covers, cushions, mattresses, sports-wear, breathable shoes, outerwear, warm jackets,
trousers, automobile fabrics, curtains, technical textiles.
3D spacer fabrics clothing
• Excellent wicking property (rapid dissipation
of body sweat)
• Cellulosic fibers are hydrophilic,
if used in the layer touching the skin,
the fibers will hold moisture and will not wick
it away quickly,
heat transport will then be inhibited, thus
leaving the wearer damp and uncomfortable.
3D spacer fabrics clothing
• Spacer fabrics uses a synthetic fiber
These are in the layer touching the skin, helping in pulling the moisture away
from the skin.
A fiber that conducts moisture can act as a diffuser and thus be used as the pile,
and a natural fiber can be utilized as the face not touching the skin, which will
help bring the moisture to the surface of the fabric and allow it to evaporate,
whilst the wearer is physically active and exerting energy.
Spacer fabrics are used in a variety of athletic activities such as SCUBA diving,
skiing, and snowboarding.
Used in jackets, shoes, and protective accessories such as helmets and knee
pads, spacer fabrics offer thermal insulation, impact protection.
Used in cricket, cycling, hockey, rugby, trekking, horse riding, roller/ ice skating,
etc.
3D spacer fabrics
• Repeat size 28 picks
• Repeat size 12 picks
3D spacer fabric
Weaving machine and method for weaving pile fabrics and spacer for such a weaving
machine
EP 1568809 A1-- 2005
Knitted spacer fabrics
Spacer fabric is a three-dimensional knitted fabric consisting of two
separate knitted substrates which are joined together or kept apart by
spacer yarns.
• First layer – hydrophilic nature
• Second layer – hydroscopic nature
• Spacer layer – mono or multi filament
Warp Knitted spacer fabrics
• The first type is knitted on a rib raschel machine having two needle
bars, while the second is knitted on a double jersey circular machine
having a rotatable needle cylinder and needle dial.
• The face and back of the fabric are knitted separately ,at the same
time , it is interconnected by monofilament yarns . Three layer of this
fabric is constructed at the same time, so the cost of laminating or
combining is reduced.
• Raschel spacer structure has more advantages as it can be produced
with dimensional stability and/or stretch. Also the air and water
permeability of the structure can be controlled.
Weft Knitted spacer fabrics
• Circular knitting machines with two sets of needles have the ability to create two
individual layers of fabric that are held together by tucks.
• Such a fabric was referred to as a double -faced fabric also be called as spacer
fabric. It is produced by flat , v-bed and purl machines.
• All techniques require the use of at least three different yarns for each course of
visual fabric.
• The degree of space or height between the two fabric faces is determined in the
circular knitting machine by the setting of the dial height relative to the machine
cylinder.
• Spacer fabric heights preset in this way can vary between 1.5 and 5.5 mm.
Knitted spacer fabrics
Knitted spacer fabrics
Knitted spacer fabrics
Knitted spacer fabrics
Recommended Books/Sources
1. https://www.slideshare.net/jana_bhuva/spacer-fabrics
2. https://textiles.ncsu.edu/tatm/wp-
content/uploads/sites/4/2017/11/Bruer_full_149_05_small.pdf
3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENtX6e6u7LY&ab_channel=QuanzhouWellcoolCushi
onTechnologyCO%2CLTD
4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqBgSouc-8A&ab_channel=IITDelhiJuly2018
5. Research Article and YouTube videos
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